As long-standing manufacturers of steel and timber gates, the team at Penchard are very aware of material and design trends as they come and go.
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Recently, we have seen the popularity of aluminium gates increase in the domestic gate market. Customers frequently ask our team about the pros and cons of specific materials and whether they are a good fit for a gate. We wanted to offer our input about the advantages of traditional wooden gates and disadvantages of aluminium gates to help property owners, architects and contractors make a more informed decision.
There’s no denying that aluminium gates are attractive, versatile and functional, and there are plenty of reasons why they would be chosen for a property.
The most common attraction of aluminium gates is that they are marketed as ‘maintenance-free’. However, the validity of this claim can be disputed. While aluminium does not rust, any material exposed to the elements and outdoors will require maintenance at some point.
Therefore, it is a matter of weighing up maintenance frequency versus ease of maintenance. Aluminium gates are often powder coated, but if the coating gets damaged, it can be very difficult to restore without stripping the finish and recoating. This process can be very expensive.
Homeowners, property owners and contractors are also drawn to aluminium gates because of their weight. Aluminium has a low density which makes it lightweight and easy to move. This is a benefit if a gate is manually operated. However, automated gate systems can mechanically open/close gates weighing up to 800 kg (in most cases) so the weight has no impact on a human operator.
Another reason people select aluminium gates is that they feel they look more modern or contemporary. While aluminium seems to have become synonymous with contemporary design, timber gates are more than capable of looking striking, clean and modern.
Although there are good reasons to buy aluminium gates, their composition also has negatives compared to more traditional gate materials.
As mentioned above, powder-coated aluminium gates can be tricky and expensive to recoat and replace if they get damaged. While aluminium does not rust, it can still corrode. Corrosion is different from rust and refers to the chemically triggered degeneration of metal caused by environmental influences, including moisture. If the raw aluminium metal of a gate is exposed to the climate, it may corrode over time.
In reference to the lightweight properties of the metal, aluminium is also quite soft. Penchard has received calls from numerous clients asking the team to replace aluminium gates from other manufacturers with timber or steel gates. This is usually because the aluminium gates have bent/buckled very easily in the wind or have been lightly hit by vehicles.
Additionally, most aluminium gates are manufactured from extruded sections. Because of this, there is a limitation as to what gate style you can have as the manufacturers have to use the available profiles and sections. This manufacturing process creates very little opportunity for a fully bespoke gate that meets every design spec.
People also question whether aluminium is more cost-effective than traditional gate materials. This is difficult to answer as there are many variables. Like any product, you can buy poor-quality aluminium gates that are very cheap and higher-quality gates that are considerably more expensive.
In a comparison of two premium gates (one timber and one aluminium), the aluminium gate would likely be more expensive overall.
It is hard to argue that aluminium gates are more robust than wood. A wooden gate is often made of very durable, reliable timber that can withstand the elements and maintain its original impressive appearance. Wooden gates are often thicker than aluminium gates, and the extra thickness makes them more sturdy, luxurious and high quality. Whether it’s wooden garden gates, farm gates, or gates for your house’s grand entrance that you’re looking for, timber gives a luxury appeal from the kerb.
Wooden gates are also very versatile, and there is really no limit to the styles and designs that can be manufactured! Penchard has in-house CNC machinery and a skilled team of joiners that can bring designs to life with high-quality timber. Many clients are left amazed at what can be done with timber! From tall entrance gates to agricultural gates, the Penchard team can do it all.
There is also a much greater choice of finishes available with timber. Timber gates can be left untreated so they will weather naturally to blend in with the surroundings, or they can be painted any colour at any point in their life. Wooden gates can also be stained or covered with bespoke coatings!
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Some people also believe that timber gates are outdated. The age of the tradition should not be a deterrent; instead, it should inspire confidence. The long-established art of using wood in construction simply means that the craftsmanship has been finely honed over time, and the mastery of techniques can be adapted to the modern day.
Timber gates can be manufactured to look very modern or to have a much more traditional feel and look, dependent on supplied designs and requirements.
Wood is a natural material, and its rich tones and quality are a big part of its allure. However, because it’s organic, it can split, twist or crack if it isn’t cared for. However, the Penchard team manufactures 600-700 timber gates each year; only (approx.) 1.5% of these gates have natural defects that result in us having to rectify them due to the defect affecting the visual appearance and longevity.
Timber will also deteriorate over time if it isn’t properly cared for and maintained. Wood shrinks when the weather is hot enough and absorbs moisture when it rains, which may affect the infrastructure when left unchecked. Wooden gates will need regular maintenance to look as good as new — especially when exposed to UK weather conditions.
Penchard offers finishes that greatly slow down the rate of weathering to help support the maintenance process.
At Penchard, we are passionate about the advantages and charm of timber gates. Timber is versatile, robust and quality, and we integrate these values into every timber gate our in-house experts manufacture.
Even in a market where aluminium is becoming increasingly popular, we are seeing a steep increase in requests for timber gate products. We believe in the quality of our gates, and contractors and homeowners do too.
We also work with the top architects in England and the south. They have never (to date) requested our team to use aluminium gates. We feel this tells a story of authenticity and confident choice.
Sometimes traditions prevail. In this instance, architects agree that using traditional timber (or steel) gates on properties is the only way to get the quality and appearance for architectural projects, farm buildings, residential properties and much more.
Don’t let limitations restrict the design vision and quality of your projects. Contact Penchard today on or [ protected]
A gate is like the front door to your rental property’s outdoor living space. A well-chosen gate offers prospective tenants a good first impression and effortlessly blends both form and function. But what is the best material for a gate for your single-family rental property? There are many gate materials to choose from, each with both pros and cons. And all rental homes are different, which means there is no one right answer. However, by looking in detail at your gate material options, you can more easily determine which one is the right choice for your rental home. When choosing the best material for your property’s gate, it is important to keep both aesthetics and practical use in mind. A gate should be attractive, but it will also get a lot of use, so both appearance and durability are key considerations. Gates add security and privacy to a property, which makes them a good investment, but different materials offer different returns on that investment. In what follows, we’ll look at these pros and cons in terms of some of the most popular gate materials: wood, vinyl, steel, and aluminum.
One of the most popular materials used for both gates and fences is wood. With careful design, wood gates can create a beautiful entryway into your property’s outdoor space. Wood also has wide appeal because it is sturdy, natural, and affordable. There are many different types of wood to choose from, each with its own benefits. Wood can be painted or varnished in a wide range of colors and finishes, and if properly maintained, can last for many years in most climates. Out of the available options for gate materials, a wood gate will likely require the smallest up-front investment and add instant value and appeal to your property. Despite its many advantages, however, wood gates will require a high degree of maintenance. Wood gates must be painted or varnished regularly or risk becoming an eyesore. As wood ages, it also becomes susceptible to other problems, including warping, rotting, insect damage, and fire. Depending on the type of wood you choose, you may need to replace your gate in as few as five years, or it may last for fifteen years or more. As a rule, higher-quality hardwood will cost more upfront but could last more than a decade longer than softer, more susceptible woods.
Another highly popular material choice for gates is vinyl. Like wood, vinyl is widely used for its durability; a vinyl gate could last for up to thirty years if properly maintained. Unlike wood, however, vinyl is very low maintenance. Most vinyl is color tinted in the factory, which means that a quality vinyl will retain its original appearance for many years, no painting required. If it gets dirty, vinyl can be cleaned easily with a garden hose. Other benefits of vinyl include a high degree of resistance to weather and insect damage. Of course, all these benefits will come at a price. Like wood, vinyl gates come in a wide range of types, but a quality vinyl gate will probably cost more upfront than a wood one will. Poor quality vinyl can be damaged by UV rays and extreme temperatures (hot or cold). Other potential drawbacks are that vinyl comes in a limited selection of colors and is less natural-looking than wood.
If strength and durability are your top priorities, you can’t do better than a steel gate. Steel is easily the strongest material for a gate, meaning it will hold up well under heavy use or extreme weather – or both. Steel gates can last as long as seventy years if properly maintained, and if repairs are needed, can be welded to restore any age-related loss of integrity. Steel also offers an upgraded beauty and sense of safety to a property, attracting tenants who plan to stay for many years. All that appeal and safety is a trade-off for the cost of such durability, however. A steel gate is a significant investment, potentially the most expensive option of the four discussed in this article. It is also heavy and difficult to transport, and requires regular sanding and maintenance to retain its curb appeal. A steel gate may also not be the best choice in coastal climates, as salt exposure could cause it to corrode over time.